Subjective Optometry Apparatus Coaxial Alignment Aberration Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Subjective optometry apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring optical characteristics due to optical aberration caused by apparatus components, which can vary with measurement conditions, and require efficient alignment operations that are often time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies.

Innovation Solution

A subjective optometry apparatus with a light projecting optical system, a corrective optical system for modifying the target light flux, and an optical member guiding the corrected light to the eye, along with an objective measurement system for coaxial alignment and aberration correction, enables accurate and efficient measurement of optical characteristics without placing corrective optics directly in front of the eye.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a corrective optical system is placed in front of the examinee's eye, then the optical characteristics can be measured, but the examinee's eye reacts with accommodation resulting in decreased measurement accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidnatural viewing state
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the corrective optical system from the measurement path during objective measurement, extracting the source of accommodation-induced error. The measurement is performed without placing corrective optics in front of the eye, thereby eliminating the accommodation reaction while maintaining measurement capability through alternative optical paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary optical path that allows measurement without direct contact between corrective optics and the eye. By using a separate measurement beam path that does not require corrective lenses to be positioned in front of the eye, the system achieves accurate measurement while preserving the natural viewing state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If correction for optical aberration is performed with a fixed correction amount, then the correction process is simplified, but it becomes difficult to suppress optical aberration when measurement conditions vary

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrection process complexityVSAvoidoptical aberration suppression
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic correction by adjusting the correction amount based on actual measurement conditions such as eye refractive power, examination distance, and convergence angle. The correction optical system is configured to vary its correction parameters in real-time according to the measured conditions, ensuring optimal aberration suppression across different measurement scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the measurement results are used to adjust the correction amount. The system continuously monitors measurement conditions and modifies the correction parameters accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying measurement conditions and maintains high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If alignment operation is performed manually to adjust the positional relationship between the examinee's eye and the apparatus, then measurement accuracy can be achieved, but the process takes time and may fail to be performed efficiently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidalignment adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-aligning mechanisms where the apparatus automatically adjusts its positional relationship with the examinee's eye without requiring manual intervention. The system uses automated detection and adjustment mechanisms that perform alignment in the background, eliminating the time-consuming manual alignment process while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary alignment adjustments automatically before the actual measurement begins. The system pre-adjusts the positional relationship between the apparatus and the eye using automated mechanisms, so that when measurement starts, the alignment is already optimized, saving time during the measurement process itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The apparatus achieves accurate and efficient measurement of optical characteristics by minimizing optical aberration and streamlining alignment processes, allowing for precise refractive power determination without disrupting the examinee's natural viewing state.

Implementation Method 1

a light projecting optical system for projecting a target light flux toward an examinee's eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

a corrective optical system including a right-left pair of a right-eye corrective optical system and a left-eye corrective optical system and disposed on an optical path of the light projecting optical system to modify an optical characteristic of the target light flux

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical correction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

an optical member shared by a right-eye optical path including the right-eye corrective optical system and a left-eye optical path including the left-eye corrective optical system, the optical member for guiding the target light flux corrected by the corrective optical system to the examinee's eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical guidance: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

an objective measurement means including a measurement optical system for emitting measurement light to a fundus of the examinee's eye and for receiving reflected light from the fundus

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3178375B1Subjective optometry apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 NIDEK CO LTD
  • EP3178375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3178375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3178375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A subjective optometry apparatus (1) includes: a subjective measurement means including a light projecting optical system (30), a corrective optical system (60) including a right-eye corrective optical system and a left-eye corrective optical system, and an optical member for guiding the target light flux corrected by the corrective optical system (60) to an examinee's eye (E), the subjective measurement means subjectively measuring an optical characteristic of the examinee's eye (E); and an objective measurement means including a measurement optical system (10) for emitting measurement light to a fundus of the examinee's eye (E) and for receiving reflected light from the fundus, the objective measurement means objectively measuring the optical characteristic of the examinee's eye (E) via the optical member disposed on an optical path of the measurement optical system (10).